Recent content by 33Hz

We're talking about a 3.5 tonne diesel engine on a 750 tonne train. Maybe 10 tonnes with the other gubbins. A pessimist is just an experienced realist, as my old boss used to say...

This has been proven over and over to be nonsense, the is no likely about it.

Sorry but the Belgians' own website disagrees.

Not if you are there less than 48 hours.

Indeed, I'm aware that the rules for the Netherlands are completely different - but if staff are asking to see negative tests for everyone getting on that Amsterdam train, even people alighting at Brussels for onward travel, they are in the wrong.

That's worrying as my preferred timing is on the service that continues to Amsterdam. Their own website says testing only required for stays in Belgium over 48 hours. Someone didn't get the memo.

Thanks - that's useful, as I would have assumed that one would be closed and they'd make you go to the front and chosen a seat appropriately.

Thanks both. @banjo125 did you need to show a test result to the French authorities on check in?

But they are scrapping other generations already now - for example there are Reseau units turning up in scrapyards already.

Hi, has anyone been through Gare du Midi recently to know if the Belgians are doing checks on arrival for vaccination status and the like? The reason I ask is I am planning a trip that would need a Eurostar to ICE connection and wondered if the usual 20 minutes XX:05 arrival to XX:25 departure...

Siemens clearly now have a 2 car BEMU platform available (or will shortly) which could be suitable for these short branches. Time to look at this again...

You can reverse at Brussels - I had this happen a couple of years ago where the Eurostar from Amsterdam went on a line around the north side of Brussels city centre and entered Midi from the west into the bay platforms.

One thing that I wonder if they have through through is confusion among UK-bound vs Schengen area passengers. For example, in Rotterdam you have a Thalys lounge about 20 metres from the Eurostar one. How does that work now with one brand? Will they have to redesign the interior of the Eurostar...

Well one possibility might be that Izy low cost services appear on London routes. They already have suitable rolling stock with the right livery... And I don't think anyone was expecting Thalys sets to go to London for the sake of it (are they even allowed?), but that it makes far more sense...

I think even a couple of years earlier would have been enough - if it had still been in the ownership of public BR instead of privatised operators, both may have stood a chance and would have been difficult to cancel soon after starting. Perhaps it might even have forced the border control issue...